Studying Space Section 2 Section 2: Movements of the Earth

Studying Space Section 2 The Rotating Earth, continued The Foucault Pendulum In the 19th century, the scientist Jean-Bernard-Leon Foucault, provided evidence of Earth’s rotation by using a pendulum. The path of the pendulum appeared to change over time. However, it was the floor that was moving while the pendulum’s path stayed constant. Because the floor was attached to Earth, one can conclude that Earth rotates. The Coriolis Effect The rotation of Earth causes ocean currents and wind belts to curve to the left or right. This curving is caused by Earth’s rotation and is called the Coriolis effect.

Studying Space Section 2 Constellations and Earth’s Motion A constellation is a group of stars that are organized in a recognizable pattern. Evidence of Earth’s Rotation Over a period of several hours, the constellations appear to have changed its position in the sky. The rotation of Earth on its axis causes the apparent change in position. Evidence of Earth’s Revolution As Earth revolves around the sun, the night side of Earth faces in a different direction of the universe. Thus, as Earth moves, different constellations are visible in the night sky from month to month and from season to season.

Studying Space Section 2 Constellations and Earth’s Motion, continued The diagram below shows how constellations move across the sky.

Studying Space Section 2 Measuring Time, continued The Modern Calendar Because the year is not exactly 365 days long, over centuries, the calendar gradually became misaligned with the seasons. In the late 1500s, Pope Gregory XIII formed a committee to create a calendar that would keep the calendar aligned with the seasons. We use this calendar today. In this Gregorian calendar, century years, such as 1800 and 1900, are not leap years unless the century years are exactly divisible by 400.

Studying Space Section 2 Measuring Time, continued Time Zone Using the sun as the basis for measuring time, we define noon as the time when the sun is highest in the sky. Earth’s surface has been divided into 24 standard time zones to avoid problems created by different local times. The time in each zone is one hour earlier than the time in the zone to the east of each zone.

Studying Space Section 2 Measuring Time, continued International Date Line The International Date Line was established to prevent confusion about the point on Earth’s surface where the date changes. This imaginary line runs from north to south through the Pacific Ocean. The line is drawn so that it does not cut through islands or continents. Thus, everyone living within one country has the same date.

Studying Space Section 2 Measuring Time, continued The diagram below shows the Earth’s 24 different time zones.

Studying Space Section 2 Measuring Time, continued Daylight Savings Time Because of the tilt of Earth’s axis, daylight time is shorter in the winter months than in the summer months. During the summer months, days are longer so that the sun rises earlier in the morning. The United States uses daylight savings time. Under this system, clocks are set one hour ahead of standard time in March, which provide an additional hour of daylight during the evening. In November, clocks are set back one hour to return to standard time.

Studying Space Section 2 The Seasons Earth’s axis is tilted at 23.5˚. As Earth revolves around the sun, Earth’s axis always points toward the North Star. The North Pole sometimes tilts towards the sun and sometimes tilts away from the sun. When the North Pole tilts towards the sun, the Northern Hemisphere has longer periods of daylight than the Southern Hemisphere. When the North Pole tilts away from the sun, the Southern Hemisphere has longer periods of daylight.

Studying Space Section 2 The Seasons, continued The diagram below shows how the seasons change with the Earth’s tilt.

Studying Space Section 2 The Seasons, continued Seasonal Weather Changes in the angle at which the sun’s rays strike Earth’s surface cause the seasons. When the North Pole tilts away from the sun, the angle of the sun’s rays falling on the Northern Hemisphere is low. This means the Northern Hemisphere experiences fewer daylight hours, less energy, and lower temperatures. Meanwhile, the sun’s rays hits the Southern Hemisphere at a greater angle. Therefore, the Southern Hemisphere has more daylight hours and experiences a warm summer season.